In late 1910 W. E. M. Hackleman, R. P. Shepherd, Robert M. Hopkins, and E. W. Thornton (pictured below) visited eleven states in two weeks, covering 3,000 miles, to promote the 1911 “Front-Rank Bible School” initiative. They spoke each morning, afternoon, and evening, then caught a night train to the next destination.
The “Big Four” Bible-school Quartet. Robt. M. Hopkins, “The National Bible-school Tour,” Christian Standard 46:48 (November 26, 1910), page 2084.
R. P. Shepherd represented the Christian Publishing Company, St. Louis, and spoke about the grading of the Bible school. E. W. Thornton represented the Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, and spoke about teacher training and classes for adults. W. E. M. Hackleman represented the Hackleman Music Company, Indianapolis, and spoke about raising the standards for Bible school and led the singing for each meeting. R. M. Hopkins represented the American Christian Missionary Society and spoke about the general plan of the effort as well as how the Bible school work of the Society interfaced with the activities of local congregations. The State Secretaries (that is, the leaders of the state-wide missionary societies) also spoke about the work of their respective bodies in each location. The article is careful to mention that neither Shepherd nor Thornton made displays of their respective employers’ materials, supplies or samples. The addresses, Hopkins said, were “on a plane far above the mercenary.”
It seems a fine time was had by all. The photograph puts faces to the names of the principals involved in an inter-organizational effort to boost, boost, boost the work of Christian education in the Sunday School setting. It also represents a coordinated effort to connect state leaders (the forerunners of the Regional Ministries of the Christian church (Disciples of Christ)) to leaders in local congregations. The division over instruments and societies largely if not totally behind them, the Disciples in 1910 were riding the wave of enthusiasm generated by the great centennial celebration at Pittsburgh in October 1909. They had plenty of energy to devote to building their denomination. However, that Hopkins though it necessary to mention the lack of a “mercenary” spirit suggests such spirit was not far out of view. The full article can be found at Robt. M. Hopkins, “The National Bible-school Tour,” Christian Standard 46:48 (November 26, 1910), page 2084.
eScriptorium 